Kultur 2

As I was reading the article "Have you Gained Weight?" I found it to be funny and quiet different from what my culture is like. I couldn't help but compare and contrast between Mexican culture and German Culture. In my culture people tend to beat around the bush and find out why a person is gaining weight by asking other people or asking questions that might lead the person to admit they've been gaining weight. In Mexico if you were to ask someone directly why they are gaining weight a person would get offended and perceive your comment as rude. Unlike Germany where it is normal for people to be blunt and not get upset over the comments.
In the article "The Germanic Stare Down": Watcha lookin' at Granny? I found it interesting because unlike the first article this one I can relate to my culture. Alike old Germans, old Mexicans feel a sense of watching what occurs in their neighborhood and being alert and positive citizens to their countries. In Mexico, specially in the villages you will see old people peeking out the windows the same way the article described the Germans. Also the Subway scenario is also likely to happen in Mexico since we are known to love gossip, mexicans tend to stare at what others are wearing to later talk or comment and of course gossip.

Kultur 2

As I read through the articles, what I found quite interesting is that these "Germanic" qualities seem more to me like "Eastern European" qualities. I see many of the same qualities (constant complaining, the blunt statements, the staring) from my relatives in the former Yugoslavia. I would assume that this has a lot to do with the fact that most modern Eastern European governments were once Communist, just as Germany was (pre-Unification). It seems that each time my overseas family skypes my parents, they have something new to complain about. Be it the government, their health, the weather, there's always something new (and almost always minor) to complain about. They can also be incredibly blunt with their statements- a trait that I share. It seems that they don't have the patience to beat around the bush- they say what they think. That can be either a very good trait, or one that is very bad (especially for Westerners who don't expect it). And if there's anything that is evident throughout Eastern Europe, it's the staring. My grandmother is a huge perpetrator of this. We like to laugh about it, that she has no shame- regardless of who it is, where we are, if something interests her for whatever reason, she stares. During my last visit to Macedonia, I noticed the stares as well. People see Americans or hear English being spoken, and their first inclination is to observe. As creepy as it is, I think it is beneficial for all of us to just observe the people and happenings around us once in a while.

Kultur Kapitel 2

Diese kapitel isnt ein teil interessant. Mein Oma ist ein typisch Deutsche Mädchen. Sie kochen gern und auch sie starren gern. Jeden tag mein Oma starren am Fenster. Wann im Deutschland Ich bemerkt wie die Deutschen beschweren sich immer. Mein Vater sagt "IS THERE SOMETHING WRONG WITH ME?!?!?" dann sie schauen weg. Mein Vater hat kein Idee und auch ich nicht.

I also notice while i was in Germany that they complain a lot. When we were getting on the same train where my dad yelled at the man for staring people were complaining that it was five minutes late which i thought was funny considering that our plane to Germany had been delayed 6 hours. The only place i noticed that people didn't complain as much was in the bars or places i went to eat. Maybe this had to do with the fact that i could only understand about half of the words that came out of there mouth because they were talking so fast. I can't even begin to explain how many questions I got asked that were totally out of the blue and had no rhyme or reason...i guess for them it did. Eventually i figured out thats just how they are and to get used to it and it is also true when you say they are interested in statistics i must have gotten asked my weight and height about six or seven times. All in all i enjoyed myself there even if the trains are "late".

Kapitel 2 Kultur

I thought it was funny to read about Germans complaining about the train systems, because when I was in Berlin this summer I got to experience that first hand.  It was the day of the Deutschland vs Greece football game, so the city was broadcasting the game on huge projection screens at the Brandenburg gate.  It was, understandably, very crowded, so the trains to get home were extremely packed and delayed.

At the time, I only knew a few phrases in German, one of which was "Das ist schlecht!" So I decided to try this out on a few Germans who were waiting on the platform with me.  To my excitement, one boy answered, "Ja, das ist schlecht!" and then proceeded to animatedly complain about the delays.  It was a bonding moment hampered only by my lack of any fluency in German.

Kapitel 2 Kultur-texte

The articles regarding German culture were quite eye-opening for me. The one reading that was particularly interesting was the one about staring. I have family friends who are German and have lived in Germany for a very long time, and when I read that article I was immediately reminded of the father of the family. He would always give the epitome of the "German Stare"to whomever came to his house, which was always quite intimidating. Regardless though, he was in no way an intimidating person. Also, having grown up outside New York City, I understand the comparison to staring in NYC subways or on public transportation. The culture is very different between the two areas.

I really enjoyed reading about ways Germans complain as well. It seems as though it is a common part of life in Germany! I never thought that it could be a part of one's culture to complain, rather it just being an individual personality aspect. The same thought goes with the statistics too. I feel as though if I were to live in Germany I would never be able to have so many statistics memorized. I come from a very small, suburban town and know no relevant statistics German people would ask me.

As far as the brutally honest article goes, that is one culture point I completely agree with. In America, people give straight forward and honest answers less frequently than they give "fluffed" answers. I am a culprit of the fluffy answers and do not think I would fit in very well in the German culture because I have difficulty expressing my thoughts in that way. Overall these articles were interesting in providing insight into the German culture and comparing it to other cultures. I enjoyed reading the information provided.

Kapitel 2 Kultur

While the quirks of Deutsch Kultur may seem odd to Americans, I actually find them quite interesting and smart. I do admit it would be creepy to have an elderly person watch me from their apartment or having staring contests with random strangers. I, like many Germans, have bad habit of constantly complaining about things. Many people find it annoying but I only do it as a form of venting; a way of making myself feel better about what's going on. Such as the "Art of Complaining" article said, complaining is a way of pointing out what needs to be improved and is a way flat out saying the truth. This was another thing I found I liked about the Deutsch Kultur. They are matter-of-fact about things and the quote "Bluntness saves time." which has stuck with me since my 11th grade English class, pops into my head now. I do not see why for only the sake of politeness people do not just say what they mean. For these reasons I think Germans have many things right, except the "widespread belief that all Americans eat burgers all the time -- and that they all carry guns".

Kapitel 2 Kultur

I liked reading these articles particularly because I can relate them back to a German woman I worked with a few years ago while she spent a year in America. Most of these personality quirks of hers I had never thought of as being part of German culture, but rather, just how she was. The statistics thing, for instance, I thought was maybe a trait unique to her. I had no idea her encyclopedia-like knowledge was something that spanned the German culture. I had also noticed she complained a lot, but again, I thought that might just be her personality. One thing I do remember her saying to me, that is consistent with the articles, is that when she invited me to come stay with her and her family in German, she told me she really meant it. She told me German invitations were not like American invitations; that they're honest and are only extended if they mean something. Maybe I'll have to take her up on that offer.

Kapital 2 Kultur

I found it interesting to learn about the difference in attitudes between us and the Germans.  What is acceptable in one culture may not be in another.  I would say that the German culture is not as “politically  correct” as our culture is, (for example Germans will call you mollig right to your face, while in America, we say that the person is under stress or overweight).  The Germans get straight to the point, always telling the truth, which is something I kind of admire.

One thing that I don’t understand about the Germans, yet I already knew about, was the whining in their country.  They say that “It ain’t what it use to be,” or “the country’s going to hell,” yet in reality Germany is doing really well.  After 12 years of Nazi control involving death and destruction throughout the land, as well as the occupation of East Germany by the Soviets throughout much of the latter 20^th century, Germany has come back strong as ever.  Currently they are the 4^th largest country when it comes to economy based on G.D.P., and with a pro-growth agenda they are only getting stronger.  If the Germans want to complain, they should complain about the other countries in the European Union and those countries’ unwillingness to take care of themselves.

Kapitel 2 Kultur

These articles were surprisingly interesting to read. I don't get why the Germans complain so much. Their country is doing well (considering how badly other countries in Europe are doing) and it seems like Germany's government gets things done, unlike here. I think they should really lighten up and see the positives of their country (especially since if I visit Germany, I don't want to listen to people complain all the time).
I like the German honesty in conversations. It seems like what they would say to people there would be rude but its not. I wish here you could say you don't like the food and not offend the person or get in trouble for it. I hated having to lie when I didn't want certain food in order to not offend the person.
What's up with the Germans and staring?!? Do they really need to watch someone or see what they are doing all the time? I get maybe glancing over at someone for a second or look out the window for a moment to see what is going on outside but to stare at someone for awhile seems weird.
The statistics article was neat to read. I didn't realize that Germans are obsessed with stats. It is a good way to learn about other places but it seems like asking "How many square kilometers is your city of country?" would really put someone on the spot. I don't think many people in the US know the answer to that question. I really want to fly over to Germany now to test this statement, "To be fair, Germans are totally on top of their own statistics" and see if Germans truly are on top of their own statistics because I have my doubts.

Kultur 2

It was interesting to hear about the honesty of the Germans in casual conversation. Speaking that way would be considered very rude here.  I wondered why we learned the word mollig to describes someone in class, because it seemed like there would never be a time to use it.  But it appears that Germans would not have a problem describing someone that way.  I wonder if the people at the receiving end of these kinds of descriptions get upset.  Or does this eliminate bullying, because there is nothing a bully would say that anyone else would not?
I liked the idea of being able to tell people that you don't want a particular food because you don't like it. I often get into trouble at dessert time because I don't really eat sweets.  A friend's mom loves baking and every time I went over, she insisted that I eat the pie or cake she made for dessert.  I had to pretend to enjoy them all so as not to offend her, but this would not have been an issue in Germany.
The other thing that I found interesting was the willingness, or even desire, to describe medical issues or pains.  In America, people hide this type of issue from one another.  It is seen as making excuses to discuss pains.
Complaining was something that I had already heard about.  There is a lot of tourism in Berlin, which is great for their economy.  But the people who live in the city complain about them, some places have signs saying things like, "Tourists go home" and "Sorry, no entry for hipsters from the U.S."  This article goes into more detail: http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/09/17/us-germany-berlin-tourists-idUSBRE88C0ZT20120917

Willkommen!!

Welcome to our class blog!

We will be using this blog throughout the semester for two kinds of assignments:

1. Once per chapter, the homework plan will direct you to post a response to the culture readings for the chapter on the blog.

2. Roughly every other week, the homework plan will direct you to post here for your Abenteuer mit Deutsch (AMD) assignment. First you do a fun activity that involves German, then you post about it. You should spend an hour total on this (maybe 45-55 minutes doing something, 5-15 minutes posting about it). See Was ist ein AMD, AMD Ideen and Beispiele for ideas. This should get you excited about the kinds of things you can do!

Whenever you post something, please include your name and the name of the assignment (e.g. AMD2, Kultur5) as labels. See "Blog: How To" for more details!